Chapter Seventy-Nine: Finish Him

“What brings you back to China this time?” After the commotion subsided, the butler tidied up while asking in a tone that was neither warm nor cold.

His grandson had always been unruly, left the country at a young age, and for years there had been no word from him. This was the first time he’d taken the initiative to return.

The butler’s grandson—whose name was Cross—paused for a second, then ground out between clenched teeth, “Nothing much. I’m just here to find someone.”

The butler didn’t press further. After arranging Cross’s accommodations, he busied himself with other matters.

For a moment, only Chao Xuci, Ci Mo, and Cross remained in the room.

Chao Xu, eyes lowered, nibbled quietly on the fruit at the table, looking particularly well-behaved.

But Cross found everything about him irksome.

Just a pampered young master—mediocre, not even worthy to compare to a single one of his own fingers. Who knew what was wrong with his grandfather, blindly loyal as if his mind had short-circuited. Utterly foolish!

With a snort, Cross said with a sneer, “Don’t expect me to follow you around like my old man does. I have plenty of ways to make you get down on your knees and call me daddy!”

In the fashion of his adopted country, he raised his middle finger right at Chao Xu. His sharp, fox-like eyes lifted in open provocation.

Chao Xu finished the last piece of apple, wiped his mouth, glanced at Ci Mo beside him, and relaxed.

Sure enough, her little brother was the most adorable.

As for this one...

She looked at Cross across from her and sighed in disappointment.

Far too rebellious and wild. It would take a long time to file down those sharp edges, and she had no patience for such games right now.

“You don’t have to single me out,” she said coolly. “You dislike me, but it’s not as if I’m fond of you either.”

The black-haired, dark-eyed youth sat there, delicate as a porcelain doll, but his words were as venomous as they came.

“You really think I won’t hit you?” Cross arched a brow, a wicked glint in his eye, flashing a grin that showed a hint of fang. “Let me tell you—even gangsters keep in line when they see me. Know that!”

If you don’t behave, I’ll have your accounts banned!

As one of the few internationally renowned young hackers, Cross carried the arrogance cultivated by constant praise and admiration. When faced with someone like Chao Si—whose hands had never done a day’s work and who probably didn’t even know what a hacker was—he couldn’t help but look down on him with innate contempt.

Chao Xu saw right through his disdain, but couldn’t be bothered to care.

Just an overgrown, juvenile brat. For the butler’s sake, she’d let it slide and not stoop to argue with a mischievous child.

“Let’s go.”

She completely ignored Cross, turning to Ci Mo and reaching out her hand.

Ci Mo, ever obedient, quietly extended his slender, fair hand and clasped hers with great care.

Wait, why are two guys holding hands?

Cross suddenly felt he'd been force-fed a stomachful of domestic bliss. He was about to let fly another biting remark when his gaze met Ci Mo’s.

Unlike before, those pale blue eyes, tinged with a hint of foreignness, no longer held the slightest trace of shyness. Instead, there was only cold, complete indifference.

Cross felt rooted to the spot, frozen by that look, unable to speak for a long time.

Ci Mo swiftly looked away, as if he’d just happened to glance over.

But Cross was keenly aware: that gentle, harmless-looking youth had genuinely just wanted to kill him.